Alabigram

Michael Jackson’s glove story. The King of Pop’s style had a huge influence on the world and he became known for different pieces that signified his look. But one of the most memorable pieces he wore remains the single bedazzled glove.

Throughout the years, there have been many theories as to why MJ chose to wear a single glove. Some suggest that it may have been for medical reasons due to his skin condition, others said it was to throw the press off and just a random decision. However, it is said that Michael’s fascination with the single white glove began when he visited the Robert Abel & Associates production company.

John Kehe, who gave MJ a tour of the studio, explained that as he showed Michael around the premises they entered into an editing suite. It was here that Michael saw the chief film editor editing a television advert.

“The editor was wearing a short white cotton glove on his left hand as he ran the film through his fingers. To have a little green box of these disposable gloves sitting on the editing bench was standard practice for film editors in those days.” Michael politely asked if the editor could spare him one and the rest is history. The single white glove (later covered in silver sequins) made its television debut on Michael’s left hand during his stunning performance of “Billy Jean” at Motown’s 25th anniversary TV special in 1983.

In recent years we have seen Michael’s iconic glove resurface in different forms. From Kendrick Lamar’s Big Steppers tour attire to Virgil Abloh who created a similar white glove with sequins as an invite for his 2019 Louis Vuitton show. Tributes to the late legend’s signature piece came in different variations 💫💎

Behind the photo: Keith Haring, Grace Jones, Fela Kuti and Jean-Michel Basquiat at Mr. Chow in New York City, photographed by Andy Warhol (1986). That year was an interesting one for all of them. Fela had just been released from prison in Nigeria earlier that year after an unfair trial that led him to serve 18 months. Following his release, he went on a tour of charity events with Amnesty International, who helped him secure his freedom. This tour brought him on his first U.S. tour where he performed at the Giants Stadium in New York. He went on to have a completely sold out tour in the States.

Basquiat, who was only 25 years old, was at the height of his international fame at the time. His art was exhibited around the world and sold for tens of thousands of dollars to buyers. Yet, it wasn’t a completely perfect period because simultaneously his struggles with addiction started intensifying too before his untimely death would follow just two years later. Haring came at a turning point in his career as he opened his Pop Shop where he began selling t-shirts, toys, posters and other items that showcased his art. By doing so he made his art more accessible for a wider audience at more affordable price points. The Jamaican music icon Grace Jones was gearing up to release her eighth studio album, Inside Story, later that year. While maintaining her avant-garde persona, this record saw Jones explore more accessible, commercial sounds as she had her first foray in production.

More than just a dinner, these photos capture a moment in time where future pioneers in the worlds of music, visual art and activism came together in pivotal moments in their careers. 🇳🇬🇯🇲🇵🇷🇭🇹🇺🇸🪄

Blaqbonez, born Emeka Akumefule, is one of Nigeria’s most promising artists on the scene today. The title doesn’t come without its accolades. At the early age of 16, Blaqbonez began his artistic career as a battle rapper, winning 1st place out of 3000 rappers at Terry tha Rapman’s Zombie competition and earning him a spot on the Terry’s 2012 World Domination Mixtape alongside superstars like Olamide.

Recently, he was the only African rapper to feature at BET’s 50 years of hip hop event and was highlighted on Rolling Stone’s 50 innovators shaping the face of hip hop List (2023). He’s also appears on their best songs of the year list - S*x over love (2021), Back in Uni (2022), ACL (2025)

He has proclaimed himself the "Best Rapper in Africa".

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WHERE"S THE BAR
DESPACITO
MARY MARY

The sample chain of ‘Soul Makossa’ by the Cameroonian Manu Dibango (1972). The saxophonist and pioneer of afro-funk created the song that roughly translates to ‘I will dance’ in the Cameroonian language of Duala. Soul Makossa is known to be the most sampled African song of all time, with its famous ‘Mama ko, mama sa, maka makossa’ being adopted by Michael Jackson’s Thriller hit ‘Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’’’ (1982), Rihanna’s ‘Don’t Stop The Music’ (2007) and Ye’s ‘Lost in the World’ (2010).

The lyrics for this song were originally written by Cameroonian poet and musicologist S.M. Eno Belinga as a B-side for a track celebrating Cameroon’s hosting of the Africa Cup of Nations and the national team’s progress to the quarterfinals. The song quickly caught steam outside of the country and continent, with people grooving all over the world to it on dancefloors. Manu Dibango showed that music has the power to connect people despite language barriers.

‘’When you’re a musician you don’t say to yourself when you get up in the morning, ‘I make African music.’ You say, ‘I want to make music.’ And that’s that’’’ 🇨🇲🎷

Characterized by opulence, sumptuousness, or rich abundance: of relating to, or marked by luxury

Brandy has received her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. A well-deserved recognition for a career that has shaped generations.

A true icon! ⭐♥️